Inverted knuckle-pin



1. W. BUCHANAN.

iNVERTEU KNUCKLE PIN.

APPLICAHON I'ILED WAY 27\ 1920.

l,365,655. Patented Jan. 18, 1921.

UNITED sTAiselrENT OFFICE.

JOHN W. BUCHANAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INVERTED KNUCKLE-PIN.

To all 'whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JoirN W'. BUCHANAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ot Cook and State of Illionis, have invented certain new and useiul Improvements in Inverted Knuckle- Pins, of which the following is a specification.

My :invention has reference more particularly to a pivotal connection for uniting the adjoining ends of the side rods oi a locomo tive, being designed for this particular purpose, owing to the peculiar diliiculties ordinarily encountered in making this connection.

In locomotive construction, side rods are employed to connect corresponding crank pins or the drive wheels so that the wheels all operate Vsiinultaneously, and it is necessary to pivotally connect the adjoining ends of these side rods so as to permit independent elevation and depression of each wheel due to unevenness or irregularities in the track surface. Heretofore it has been customary to make the connection by a pivot pin or, as it is commonly known, a knuckle pin, which is inserted through the adjoining ends of the side rods from the inside. This arrangement, however, is very unsat isfactory 'as the side rods set so close to the side of the wheels that the latter interfere with the insertion of the pin, there being practically only one position of the wheel which permits inserting the pin in place, and that is the position where an openingbetween the spokes is in line with the pin opening in the side rods. It is therefore necessary, with the old type of knuckle pin .connection, in assembling or dismantling the en gine to be sure that the drive wheels are set exactly so that the knuckle pin may be withdrawn or inserted through the particular opening between the spokes, and this of course is very difficult, owing to the great Weight of the locomotive, the space required to move the engine to the proper position and the .necessity for close adjustment. It is therefore desirable to insert the pin from the outside, but this also presents difficulties as there is not sufficient room between the inner face of the side rod and the wheel to accommodate the usual means for securing the pin in place, and furthermore, the connecting rod which extends from the cross head of the engine to the crank pin of one of the intermediate wheels for operating Specication of Letters'Patent. Patented Jan. 189 192L Application filed May 27, 1920.

Serial No. 384,590.

the wheels from the engine cylinder, swings across the outer face of the side rods in such close relation that it is very diilicult to devise satisfactory means which may be applied at the outer end of the knuckle pin, for holding the latter in place. Furthermore, locomotives are already provided with side rods and it would involve great expense to equip them with new side rods, it is necessary to devise a construction whereby the knuckle pin may be applied from the outer side without requiring new side rods, but by merely making slight changes in existing rods which will enable the inverted knuckle pin to be employed.

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a pivotal connection for the side rods ot a locomotive enabling the pivot pin, or knuckle pin, as it is commonly known, to be inserted from the outer side; to provide retaining means for the knuckle pin which is embraced within the limited space permitted therefor between the connecting rod and the side rods of the engine; to provide a construction in which a knuckle pin similar to that at present employed, or the same pin with slight changes, may be used and inserted from the outer side and retained in place; to provide a device of this character which may be applied to the existing types of connecting rods by merely changing the connecting rods from one side of the engine to the otherand applying thereto the retaining means which I have devised; to provide means for joining together the divided end portions ofthe side rods to hold same against separation, and in general to provide an improved knuckle pin .connection of simple form enabling the pin to be inserted from the outside and which may be applied to ex isting side rods and afford a secure and reliable `oivotal connection of the adjoining ends oi the side rods without necessitating any material changes in the standard engine construction.

On the drawings Figure l is a side view of the drive wheels of a locomotive and connec tions showing the application of my invention thereto; Fig. 2 an enlarged top view of my knuckle pin connection; Fig. 3 a side view thereof taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 a bottom view of the knuckle pin connection; Fig. 5 a sectional view of a modified form of connection; and Fig. 6 an edge view of the wedge pin.

Referring to the drawings, the reference immeizils l, 2 :mel 3 indicate the (lrive Wheels at one side of :L .locomotiveT each of which has the usual c ranged at one e at the otliei site the stifle rods an izuil pin l eeeentiically zuile of its exis, and Weight 5 its exis to eouiiterbalanee l carried by the Yank pins ontw sialn engine Construction it is Customary to the iiiiioi; ein

eoniieet up 'eli-e e i ii uiiii l L side iofls se t` the *volvo* opei'ato '.2

son, and the euteif i uit the comi@ Wliieli opeia fl l pivote cfzmlz pi i l5 im l iweltioii, but it :uf-i lzfge iiuiiibef may be e,iiiple l :zml my ifm-e3 i@ invention likewise applied thereto. thereby lllllieii there :ue tliifee drive Wheels, two eide rods (S uml a wir olf which is pi cmil pin ll of Wl foivaiel @ml 1,0 Villen we limi.

, e, Y so www@ tei-mediate Wleel between *rl-w, out-'ov Pw@ el' forwardly l ,Voi/Lil inner 'two o? ilw www1' pin and is 'siifuce ed to :litoral :i .gli l spec-ed ifoweiclly extending; lugs jeetieiis S an@ il between which the sicle ed E is l iwoted, eue1n effi ing equii'e, to pelmit relaU A, Y L lowering of the Wheels 2 and /liie to i ulaifitiefs o1 the tifael iiaee Wliie 'Wheels operate. The 'foi-twill em oi Side rod 7 is pivetecl to tle crunk viii the front Wheel 3.

il eoimeetiiip; iofl l0 .is 1,31'

4.0 usual muni-ier at its forward eue lieml ll operating; between 'tlL "l'i'C- le v inflow-(wl \(}"l'ii-`*l`,

the reni eil "of this eoiiiie pivotecl to the eieiik pin 2; at tlie outei: Side off in the usual mannei.

The Sti'uctuie so fau' fleseiil';e l is typical of .modem locomotive 'fonstiucioii :nifl my invention lies reference to :ui improve@ etal connection o the side loclfl' with I sidei'ozl G Wliei'eliff the eoimeetii" Jin, veli is; eoiiiiiioiilj/f' kno m is the milie Y lie inserted fiom the outer eifle :xii Securely in place.

ln the iefious Qoiieeetm eff foils Such Sie G anni 7 been emteiu to piovicle the l C eid S) vitli com" ing tapeiefl @fem4 x -e and 14?. whichN everu were arranged eveisely to tlmfe l in the drawings, tilt is, the :#,pei'tui'esl lus: 9 We aiangecl Eext to the clgife Wheel Q :mtl the apertueil 3 ai'i'aiigecl outside and the tapered apertures 13. ,i Comfeigecl outwiuclly o 1 be W enge-.geel by tapete@ t 1 G5 pin when the lette? 'was Jivtli all' the liek? lllll and cotter pin 29 is inserted through the threaded extension 26 immediately below the nut 36 to prevent unloosening oi the nut.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have provided means which may be readily ap; 'ed to existing forms of side rods, without d iiliciillty, to convert same for use with a knuckle pin which is inserted from the outer side, and have afforded a substantial and dependable retaining means for the knuckle pin which is readily contained within the limited space between the side rod and connecting rod of the engine.

To avoid separation or. spreading of the lugs S and 9, I provide a cross plate 30 which extends across over the ripper' edges of the lugs 8 and 9 and is welded thereto so as to `integrally unite said lugs. This plate may be readily employed without interfering with the assembling of the side rods 6 and 7. as it is ci'lstomary to elevate the rear end ot the side :rod 7 up between the lugs 8 and 9. As a further precaution against `sejgniration of the lugs 8 and 9, I weld onto the lower edges of each. of the lugs 8 and 9, adjacent the outer ends, the corresponding depending ears 3l which are provided with threaded apertures to receive a cross bolt or pin 32. This pin is spaced suiiiciently below the rear end of the side rod 7 to permit the necessary relative pivotal movement ot the rods 6 and 7, and is threaded at each end so as to have a threaded engagement with both pivot lugs 8 and 9 and thereby lock said pivot lugs in a definite spaced relation. The nin has a head 37 at the outer end for screwing same in place and may also have a lock nut 53S under the head.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified application of my invention, in which the means employed for holding the pin l2 from turning is the same as that at present employed, and when such holding means is employed it not necessary to provide the in 15 with the slot 19 at the inner end or tie key 2l with the rib 20 on the inner face. Such holding means comprises a spline 39 which is inserted. laterally into the outer tapered portion '1.7 of the pin 15 and projects slightly tlwreiroinm so as to zinnige in a groove 40 in the tapered opening lll. lVhen this holding means is j noifided, the rear face of the key l does not need to have the tapered rib 20, but the roar 'tace of the key 2l is merely tapered so as to engage against the projecting end oit' the pin l5 so as to secure the latter in place, The lugs 22 and 23. Athe top plate, and ears il are preferably electrowelded. onto the side rods, particularly in utilizing existing side rods, and after welding, the rods should be annealed to prevent any break.

lWhile I have shown and described my invention in a particular form. I am aware that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles oil my invention, the scope ot' which is to be determined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a locomotive, the combination of a plurality oit side drive wheels each of which has an outwardly extending crank pin, side rods ccaiuwtnig the cre k pins so that the drive wheels ope] unison, and means for pivotally connecting together the adjoining ends of the side roos comprising a pin inserted ifrom the outer side through the adjoining ends of the rods and having retaining means at the outer end `for locking the pin in the inserted position.

2. The combination with the side drive wheels oit a locomotive and connecting rod iior operating same, oi. a pair of side rods connecting the drive wheels so as to cause same to operate ii'iunison, said side rods being provided with a pivotal connection interposed between. the connecting rod and one oi the drive .vheelfi; for pivotally connecting adjacent ends oi the side rods to one another, said connection comprising a pin insertei'l through rnferlapping portions of the side rods trom the outer side thereof, and means on the outer face of one of the side rods for forcing and holding the pin in the inserted position.

3. In a locomotive having a plurality of drive `wheels at one side thereof, the combination oi? a connecting rod pivoted eccentrically to one of the drive wheels for rotating the latter, side rods connecting the drive wheels so as to cause the latter to operate in unison, l side rots having the adjacent ends thoreo't' connectral too'cthcr between the -ounectiug rod and its d Ye wheel, said connection comjvn'ising a pi ,t pin adapted to be inser al from the outer side oi the side rods through overlapping portions of the latter and l'iziving shoulders for limiting the insertion thereof, and a clamping member adapted to be secured against the outer end oil' the pivot pin ter forein and holding the latter in the inserted position.

4. In a locomotive having a plurality oi' drive wheels at one side thereof, the combination of a connecting rod eecentrically pivoted to one ot the drive wheels, a plurality ot side rods connecting the drive wheels so as to cause the latter to operate in unison, and means pivotally connecting the adjoining ends oil the side rods between the connecting rod and its drive wheel, said means comprisingr a pair of spaced lugs at the end of one of the side rods embracing the end of the other side rod, .inwardly converging tapered apertures in the lugs in alinement with an aperture in the end oi the side rod embraced by the lugs, a pivot pin inserted through said apertures and having tapered portions wedgingly engaging said. tapered apertures of the lugs, and a key on the outer face ot the outer lug Wedgingly engaging the outer end of the pivot pin so as to clamp the tapered portions ot the pin in the tapered apertures ot the lugs and adapted to hold the pivot pin against turning nievement in the apertures of the lugs.

5. The combination with a plurality of drive Wheels at one side of a locomotive, ot a connecting rod eecentrically pivoted to one of the drive Wheels, a plurality of connecting rods pivoted to the drive Wheels so as to cause the latter to operate in unison, a pivot pin inserted 'from the outer side ot the side rods through apertures in the overlapped adjoining ends ot the latter for affording pivotal connection therebetween, undercut spaced lugs on the outer tace of' one of the connecting rods, and a key having beveled edges engaging the undercut lugs and provided With a Wedge surface engaging against the outer extremity ot the pivot pin :tor clamping the latter in thc inserted position.

G. The combination with a plurality ot side drive Wheels of a locomotive, ot a plurality ot side rods connecting said Wheels so as to cause the latter to operate n unison, means tor connecting the adjoining ends ot the side rods together, comprising a pair ot spaced lugs on one of the side rods embracing the end oi' the other side rod, a pivot pin inserted from the outer side of the side rods through the said end et the lugs and having corresponding 'tapered portions Wedgingly engaging the latter, means on the outer face ot the outer lug 'for locking the pin in the inserted position, and means for connecting the lugs together to prevent spreading or separation thereof.

7. rllhe combination with a plurality of side drive Wheels oi a locomotive, ot a plurality of side rods connecting said Wheels so as to cause the latter to operate in unison, means for connecting the adjoining ends ot the side rods together, comprising a pair of spaced lugs on one of the side rods embracing the end ot' the other side rod` a pivot pin inserted from the outer side ot the side rods through the said end and the lugs and liao ing` corresponding tapered portions wedgingly engaging the latter, means on the outer face oi' the outer lug tor locking.;` the pin in the inserted position, and a plate connecting the lugs and secured to the edges thereot' to prevent spreading or separation thereof.

S. The combination with a plurality ot side drive Wheels ot a locomotive, of a plus rality of side rods connecting said wheels so as to cause the latter to operate in unison, means for connecting the adjoiningV ends ol the side rods together, comprising a pair ol; spaced lugs on one et the side rods embracing the end oit the other side rod, a pivot pin inserted trom the outer side ot the sido rods through the said end ot the lugs and harina` corresponding tapered. portions wedgingly engaging the latter, means on the outer i'ace oit the outer lug ttor lockingthe pin in the inserted position, and means extending` be tween and ha ring a threaded engagement With the lugs tor holding the latter against separation.

9. 'll he method of adapting` side rods ot a locomotive having a pivot pin inserted from the inner side thereof through adjoining` end portions ot the side rods so as to employ a pivot pin inserted 'from the outer side tlnireot` which comprises transposing the connecting rods from one side to the other side ot the locomotive, electro-welding re taining means on the outer side ot the transposed side rod adjacent the position oit the pivot pin, and mounting a key in the retaining means so as to engage against the outer end ot the pivot pin and clamp the latter in the inserted position.

JOHN lV. BUCHANAN. 

